Three things I like about Stephen Harper

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      It's not those creepy eyes.

      It's not $28 million of public funds going into commemorating the War of 1812.

      It's certainly not the decision to padlock Parliament twice or the firing of government watchdogs or the hostility to the science around supervised-injection sites and climate change.

      But I can cite three things that I like about Stephen Harper.

      The prime minister hasn't listened to caucus members who want to reopen the debate over abortion and restrict a woman's right to choose.

      Harper also hasn't invoked the notwithstanding clause in the constitution to override the legal right to same-sex marriage.

      And he hasn't stacked the Supreme Court of Canada with right-wing religious fanatics.

      There are a couple of other things I like about Harper. He appears to give his wife Laureen complete freedom to live the life that she chooses—which stands in contrast to his public image as a control freak.

      There's one other thing—several years ago, Harper dropped his opposition to turbans in the RCMP. So I won't call him a bigot.

      Often, the Harpercons (as Bob Rae so eloquently describes them) accuse me of having nothing good to say about the prime minister.

      I still think he's an economic incompetent, a mean-spirited punishment freak, and an absolute fool for not recognizing the reality of global warming in the face of tons of evidence to the contrary.

      But hey, he's not all bad.


      Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.

      Comments

      23 Comments

      Chris B

      Aug 14, 2012 at 3:22pm

      A balanced take. It's too bad the climate and crime issues, in particular, are so damned important.

      Mark Fornataro

      Aug 14, 2012 at 4:24pm

      That first line could be the beginning of a hit song:
      It's not those creepy eyes
      its not that you're despised
      its not that you're not wise
      with yer climate-change denying lies

      pragprog

      Aug 14, 2012 at 5:05pm

      Re the Supreme Court and Nothwithstanding Clause issues, don't give Hair Harper any ideas.....

      Anton

      Aug 14, 2012 at 6:13pm

      I really like the tone of this article. Of course, Harper isn't the most likable of PM's but I do think there is an importance in compromise; not dismissing every action he does just because it's him.
      I think a country where the two major parties make policy based on doing the opposite of the opposing party is a doomed country.

      surprise surprise

      Aug 14, 2012 at 9:13pm

      Gee, when I saw this under Most Popular I said to myself "Charlie Smith opinion",so what's my point? I'm pretty bored. Anyway have a good night everyone.Sweet dreams

      Dave Harper

      Aug 14, 2012 at 9:13pm

      He is also totally predictable and likes hockey. He still will never have my vote. My MP in the North Island somehow got into cabinet. That shows lack of acuity. I had to counterweight with a con!

      uknow

      Aug 14, 2012 at 9:18pm

      I like 1 he's closer to retirement every day 2 closer to meeting pierre every day 3 there is no 3 as there's nothing good to say about him

      miguel

      Aug 15, 2012 at 6:59am

      He's no Rob Ford!
      Miguel

      out at night

      Aug 15, 2012 at 10:40am

      The things you like about him - at least the first two - are in all likelihood cynical strategies aimed purely at grabbing middle of the road votes. Given half a chance he'd probably be very happy to slam the lid down on reproductive rights and gay marriage. The man is smart enough to know what Canadians will and won't go for and is (luckily for all of us) constrained by the fact that we are still a somewhat liberal electorate.

      3 Things I Like...

      Aug 15, 2012 at 1:14pm

      I like the fact that Stephen Harper is mortal and will eventually die. I like that he has to live his life being sexually repellent. I also like the empty, freezing darkness at the core of his soul, which is all he'll have left when his career is over.